Gallup, the polling and research organization, published an essay this week urging colleges and universities to “give the liberal arts a new name” — “or no name at all” — in order to “turn the tide on waning public support for higher education.”

“The words ‘liberal’ and ‘arts’ just don’t resonate in the minds of far too many Americans, especially those at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder.”

In support of its claim, Gallup cites data indicating that a majority of Republicans believe higher education is detrimental to the nation. Specifically, a majority of Republicans voters and those voters who lean toward the GOP say they are apprehensive about the value of a college education because they believe the campus environment is “too liberal.” (Majorities of GOP voters do not cite cost or career prospects as reasons for apprehension.)

Also, Gallup notes, a recent poll shows that a large percentage of U.S. parents who have children currently in middle school or high school say they believe “no college at all” is more likely to lead to a good job than a “liberal arts degree.”

The crafty, high-risk, high-reward name-change strategy suggested by Gallup could have originated in “Coming to America,” a 1988 comedy in which Eddie Murphy plays a wealthy African prince who works at a fast food restaurant in Queens, New York called McDowell’s.

As the owner, Cleo McDowell, tells Murphy, McDowell’s is not to be confused with McDonald’s.

Yes, the logos are strikingly similar. McDonald’s has the Golden Arches. McDowell’s has the Golden Arcs. Similarly, says Cleo, McDonald’s has the Big Mac. McDowell’s has the Big Mic.

“They both got two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles and onions. But they use a sesame seed bun,” Cleo explains. “My buns have no seeds.”

Gallup suggests that the new name for “liberal arts” could be “21st century skills” because branding the exact same coursework as “21st century skills” fares better among participants in Gallup marketing tests.

“The liberal arts curriculum is as important today as it was in ancient times,” Gallup argues, because the degree provides graduates with indispensable skills such as “critical thinking, effective communication” and “being able to confront and resolve differences and problems.”